Israeli authorities confirmed the repatriation of the remains of Amiram Cooper, 84, a renowned economist, poet and founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz; and Sahar Baruch, 25, an engineering student, who had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

from their border kibbutzim and killed in Gaza. According to local media, the transfer of the bodies was managed by the Hamas terrorist group in coordination with the International Red Cross on Wednesday night.

The Israeli Army announced that Cooper and Baruch died in captivity under circumstances not disclosed by official sources.

According to The Times of Israel, the remains of both men were transported by ambulance to Israeli territory. Authorities activated forensic identification protocols and notified the families involved in Tel Aviv.

The operation took place weeks after Hamas reported the deaths of several captives in its custody.

The Israel Defense Forces have maintained that Hamas is still holding more than 100 people, including children and the elderly. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated: “The return of Cooper and Baruch’s bodies brings profound sorrow to our society.”

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the release of all hostages is a priority for his government. “Every life is precious. We will continue to seek the return of all our citizens,” the head of the national government stated. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed its participation in this humanitarian process.

Military sources cited by The Times of Israel warned that the repatriation of the bodies is a response to intense negotiations and to international pressure exerted by human rights organizations.

The families of the victims and civil organizations called for new demonstrations in Tel Aviv, demanding accurate information about the hostages who are still missing.

Israeli troops are conducting ground operations at various points in the Gaza Strip, searching for clues that might lead to the location of other captives. The situation remains under close observation by international actors, who are calling for progress in protecting civilians and resolving the humanitarian crisis stemming from the protracted conflict.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum expressed in a statement its hope that, “amid the pain and the understanding that their hearts will never be whole again,” the return of the two bodies will bring “some comfort” to their families who have lived “in unbearable uncertainty and doubt for more than two years.”